{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How to Make Live Events Your Secret Creator Growth Engine","description":"If you\u2019re a content creator in a business niche and you\u2019re NOT going to live events, you\u2019re missing one of the easiest ways to grow your influence, revenue, and network. But just showing up isn\u2019t enough. You need to be strategic about it. Let me walk you through exactly how to make live events your secret growth engine. 1. Pick the Right Events Don\u2019t just go to every conference in your industry. Be selective. Ask yourself: Will my ideal audience or customers be there? Will the people I want to partner or collaborate with be there? Will there be speakers who are already where I want to be? Will the people in attendance be critical to my business model of the future? Smaller, niche events are often better than the giant ones because it\u2019s easier to have real conversations. 2. Have a Plan Before You Go Treat this like a marketing campaign. Make a hit list of 5\u201310 people you want to meet. Connect with them on LinkedIn before the event with a simple message: \u201cHey, I see we\u2019re both going to [Event]. Would love to say hi while we\u2019re there.\u201d If they respond, you can add, let me know if you want to grab coffee while there. It\u2019s an easy ask. Follow the event app so you can see where people are gathering. Most creators go in blind and just \u201csee what happens.\u201d Don\u2019t do that. 3. Work the Room (Even if It\u2019s Uncomfortable) Yes, some of this will feel awkward. Do it anyway. Sit at a different table each meal. Go to every networking event, even if you\u2019re tired. After a speaker session, walk up, introduce yourself, and thank them. 90% of attendees don\u2019t bother, so you\u2019ll stand out. When you sit in a session, introduce yourself to at least one person sitting by you. They will thank you for it as they are probably uncomfortable sitting by themselves. 4. Buy the Book, Get It Signed Here\u2019s a power move: If the speaker has a book, buy it BEFORE the event. Bring it with you, and after their talk say: \u201cI loved your session. Would you mind signing this? I already bought it\u2014it\u2019s been really helpful.\u201d Why? Because now you\u2019re not just another attendee\u2014you\u2019re someone who invested in their work. People remember that. When I first spoke at Hubspot\u2019s inbound, Douglas Burdett from the marketing book podcast, was standing in the back with my book Epic Content Marketing. How could I not stop and talk to him? Since then, we became fast friends and I was on his podcast I think seven times. He did that with so many speakers. 5. Follow Up Fast The magic isn\u2019t just at the event\u2014it\u2019s what you do after. Send a quick LinkedIn or email note the next day: \u201cGreat meeting you yesterday at [Event]. Loved our chat about [Topic]. Let\u2019s keep in touch.\u201d If you promised to send someone a resource or an intro, do it within 48 hours. Most people don\u2019t follow up, which is why this works so well. The Big Picture Look, content creation can feel like sitting alone behind a keyboard. But the fastest way to build authority and trust is face-to-face. People buy from people they know\u2014and live events shortcut years of online grinding if you do them right. So don\u2019t just attend. Be strategic. Have a plan. Make yourself known. That\u2019s how live events turn into partnerships, clients, speaking gigs\u2014and real friendships. Pre-order my new book, Burn the Playbook, here ---> https:\/\/www.joepulizzi.com\/books\/burn-the-playbook\/ Come join me at Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in Cleveland August 24-26. Use coupon code CEXDAY to save $200 - https:\/\/cex.events\/ ------- Like this episode? SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify or Google. See all Content Inc episodes at the Content Inc. podcast home. Get my personal newsletter today and receive my free goal-setting guide today.   ","author_name":"Content Inc with Joe Pulizzi","author_url":"https:\/\/www.contentinc.io","html":"